Alyssa Hollingsworth

Kit has been cursed into a body that isn’t her own. Idris has been cursed to dance to death. If they want to break their curses, they’ll need to work together. Kit and her step-sister Catharine have been close ever since their parents’ royal marriage brought them together. But living under the king’s roof is not safe for Kit, and illness is spreading through her joints. Her mother tells her it is a curse: When a woman in their family is hurt, they fall into a wasting sickness. When an enchantment switches Kit and Catharine’s bodies, Kit must find a way to make things right. But can she really bear to go back to her wasting body? Idris has learned a dark secret about his family and a crime they committed generations ago against the Hidden Folk. When he gets the chance to atone, he takes it—even though it means he will be danced to death. But it is one thing to agree to be a martyr, and another to watch his choice destroy his family. Can he find a way to bring justice and still live? If Kit and Idris want to survive, they will need to work together. But lines blur as the two grow closer. There are few ways to break a curse, and there may not be enough magic left to break them all.

If no one sees him, does he exist? This superhero-inspired adventure story explores friendship and what it means to be truly brave. Nadia looks for adventure in the pages of her Superman comic books, until a mysterious boy saves her dog from drowning during a storm and then disappears. Now she finds herself in the role of Lois Lane, hunting down the scoop of the Invisible Boy. Suddenly she's in a real-life adventure that's far more dangerous than anything in her comic books. The Invisible Boy is a mystery and an adventure story, as well as a story about child labor trafficking. Like Katherine Applegate, author of Crenshaw and Wishtree, Alyssa Hollingsworth takes a difficult subject matter and makes it accessible for middle-grade readers. Featuring illustrations by Deborah Lee

A powerful contemporary novel for readers of 11+ about slavery, friendship and standing up for what is right.From the author of the UKLA Book Award-winning THE ELEVENTH TRADE comes a second novel with a powerful modern message - for readers of 11+. Twelve-year-old Nadia has discovered a new and dangerous secret: she is lonely.Then two things happen that change everything. She meets Eli, who she suspects may be a superhero, and she finds a strange letter under the dried juniper branches. The next day Nadia gathers her courage to take the letter to Eli. But something about Eli's family is very strange. Why doesn't he let her step close to the house? And is her new friend hiding his own secrets?

From debut author Alyssa Hollingsworth comes a moving middle-grade story about living with fear, being a friend, and finding a new place to call home. They say you can't get something for nothing, but nothing is all Sami has. When his grandfather's most-prized possession--a traditional Afghan instrument called a rebab--is stolen, Sami resolves to get it back. He finds it at a music store, but it costs $700, and Sami doesn't have even one penny. What he does have is a keychain that has caught the eye of his classmate. If he trades the keychain for something more valuable, could he keep trading until he has $700? Sami is about to find out. The Eleventh Trade is both a classic middle school story and a story about being a refugee. Like Katherine Applegate, author of Wishtree, Alyssa Hollingsworth tackles a big issue with a light touch.

Winner of the UKLA Book AwardFor fans of WONDER and REFUGEE BOY - meet Sami, a twelve-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, as he searches for friendship, a place to call home and his grandfather's most prized possession.Back in Afghanistan, before the Taliban came, Sami's grandfather was a famous musician. People would come from miles around and pay thousands to hear him play the rebab. Now Sami and his grandfather are refugees living in Boston. The rebab is their most valuable possession and a reminder of home.Then one terrible day, the rebab is stolen. Sami's grandfather is devastated. His last link with home is gone and with it, his livelihood. Sami resolves to get the rebab back as a surprise for Eid. When he finds it on ebay, with a hefty price tag attached, he begins to trade the few possessions he has - and as he does, he finds, to his surprise, that there are all kinds of people willing to help.